Walled Lake is a great spot for summer fun, but there is still work to be done in maintaining it as a clean body of water, leading the Walled Lake Improvement Board to continue its mission.

The Novi City Council approved by a 7-0 vote to extend the mission of the Walled Lake Improvement Board and agreed with several residents of the lake who spoke that the board is still needed.

This vote was necessary because Novi had a clause in the original agreement to revisit the decision to review its progress.

“As far as I can see, it’s been a success,” city council member Andrew Mutch said of the board’s work.

During a public hearing on the matter of the lake board, Walled Lake resident Jerry Anderson said the board has been the perfect vehicle in making the lake a clean one, but he also emphasized that it needs to continue.

“It’s worked, but there is still work to be done,” Anderson said.

Novi resident Michael Condon said the lake used to be filled with weeds, which shut down the beaches. However, because of the board’s work, everything is now sanitary and safe. He urged council members to continue the board.

According to Brian Coburn, Novi’s engineering senior manager and representative to the Walled Lake Improvement Board, the board was formed by both cities (Novi and Walled Lake) to address nuisance growth of invasive aquatic plants in Walled Lake.

Coburn said resolutions adopted by each city stated that the purpose of the lake board was to control nuisance growth of invasive aquatic plants in Walled Lake, specifically Eurasian milfoil, which created difficulties for boaters and riparian owners.

“As Novi’s representative to the lake board, I recommend against dissolution of the lake board,” Coburn said in recommendation to council. “Effective management of the invasive species on Walled Lake requires an ongoing program to evaluate and treat the invasive species that are prevalent each year. While the lake board has managed to reduce the population of the Eurasian milfoil in Walled Lake, there are other invasive species that have taken its place and must be managed to promote recreational use and enjoyment of Walled Lake.”

In 2010, the lake board approved an assessment roll to manage nuisance growth of aquatic plants that inhibit recreational use and enjoyment of Walled Lake. The approved assessment roll includes 1,392 parcels (768 parcels in the city of Walled Lake and 624 parcels in Novi) and collects $97,434 each year for improvement of Walled Lake, Coburn said.

The first collection occurred on the December 2010 tax bill and the final collection is on the December 2014 tax bill. In the coming year, the lake board would need to initiate another assessment roll to continue to fund the lake management program.

Based on the projected balance at the end of 2015, the new assessment could be reduced by approximately 30 percent, according to Coburn.

lhuhman@hometownlife.com | 517-294-4215; Twitter: @lhuhman

About the board

In 2009, Novi and Walled Lake each passed a resolution to establish the Lake Improvement Board for Walled Lake. A Lake Improvement Board is defined under Part 309 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (P.A. 451 of 1994) as a separate statutory agency that is charged with the responsibility of carrying out desired improvements for a specific lake.

The Lake Board is comprised of five members representing the following entities (with current membership noted): Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (Karen Warren), Oakland County Board of Commissioners (Commissioner Kathy Crawford), City of Novi (Brian Coburn), City of Walled Lake (Council Member Casey Ambrose), and a riparian owner elected by the Board (David Galloway, East Lake Drive resident).